"He wants me to go a formal business event with him?" Rhiane asked after Tobias recited the relevant paragraph of the message for her response. The princess elect was not angry but rather confused; after being so excited about his 'day of freedom' she couldn't begin to imagine why he was wanting of her presence. She fully expected him to reappear this evening griping about the implants and the inconvenience of the invisible collar they created. This was such a stark deviation from his exuberance at having a day of independence it made her quite uneasy. Either she vastly underestimated his about-face regarding engaging in a genuine romance or there was an unanticipated problem that resulted in the sudden summon. She was genuinely uncertain which she found more frightening: that he craved her attention and wanted to be a true couple in every meaning of the word or that there was trouble brewing on the horizon that he strangely thought she could somehow assist with. As proud as Luke was she could neither imagine nor conceive a situation that he, nor any other member of the royal family, thought she could be beneficial to involve. Rhiane knew she was a publicity stunt, meant to smile and wave, to be pretty for pictorials, and to eventually bear children, but she was not meant to be influential or meddle in anything of greater importance.

"Tell him I decline the invitation on the basis I was medically advised to rest," she said after a moment's thought. There was nothing to gain by going to this so-called business event. Either there would be an expectation of honest affection in the event Luke was demanding her for emotional fulfillment or he desired a contribution towards whatever endeavor was being forged. If it was the latter and the dealings soured she would be a scapegoat- even if they succeeded she would never be given any praise or credit. Rhiane had enough 'no-win' scenarios in her life without indulging the spoiled heir to the throne more than necessary.

Tobias paused for a moment and then, without the slightest reaction to his words, bent over to key a message to his second cousin. His features were as stern as always but he saw a golden opportunity- one in which he could illuminate how he was superior to the crown prince with his compassion, his humility, and his understanding. Not only would he poke the bear but he would try to juxtaposition himself so that Rhiane would find it impossible to not draw a comparison. He did not need her love but he needed her trust if he was going to recruit her and turn her away from obedience to the monarchy. If she was stolen successfully from the clutches of Queen Camilla she could be a devastating loss, one that would be able to shed a light onto the reality of both the castle and nobility through her experiences, who would no longer owe them obligation, and could stoke the fires of revolution with her effortless charisma.

[i]Your Highness,

Miss Black wishes to follow the advice of the royal doctor and stay at the palace to rest. We watched two films today, as I advised earlier was her intention, and dined with two of her maids for lunch. At no point have we left your highness's quarters. I will discuss this matter further with Miss Rhiane.

I believe that I will be able to convince her to attend. Should I encounter further difficulty, I will notify you shortly.

Sincerely,
Tobias Lavanchy[/i]

It was as formal as was protocol between the two relatives. Tobias's father was elevated into the aristocracy when Luke's father was made king but it by no means but the two on equal social footing. To the lords and ladies of the court the darker-haired man was the inferior of the fair-haired by birth. If he had chosen to pursue a different lifestyle perhaps Tobias could have achieved a title but beneath his stoicism he did not have the iron stomach for the treachery that was more common in the throne room than the common cold. There was a subtle jab in the missive, however, that was reminiscent of how the nation's leaders typically conversed with each other. Tobias all but suggested he could better persuade Luke's fiancee than he himself could.

"Miss... Rhiane," he started as he put down the device and turned back towards the sultry figure that had once again splayed herself on the sofa. Although he was no interested in any sort of relationship beyond the platonic towards her she was captivating in a distracting manner. Her long, thick, dark hair looked remarkably like a river of decadent chocolate, her bronzed skin shone under the mid-day lighting, and casual clothing could not completely conceal the curves beneath that had won her the hearts of most of the male population of New Rome. "I can summon the medical staff to evaluate you if you think you are still unwell."

"No, not that is not necessary, thank you," the princess elect said quickly.

"If I may be so bold, I think you should reconsider Prince Lucius's request," he intoned quietly in his deep baritone voice. Normally Tobias would not have cared an ounce. More than once he had turned a blind eye to the drama that filled the walls of New Rome's most revered building. It was his hidden investment that compelled him to intervene now when he never had before.

"Why is that?" Rhiane asked pleasantly. She was suspicious of both his intentions and reasoning. While his companionship had been somewhat enjoyable during their movie binge of the morning that did not make them close confidants. The former farmer had not yet lowered her defensive walls for her bodyguard nor anyone else in the employment of the crown; it was too premature for such faith.

"His highness said he needs you and I do not believe he would put forth the effort to contact you through me unless he felt it was beneficial," he replied. Tobias also knew the heir apparent to be a shrewd businessman but he did not want to laud praise on him, not when he was trying to turn Rhiane's eyes away from his virtues, and not when he was trying to encourage a mentality that would be susceptible to defection. "And his reputation is closely linked to your own. If he were to bring you to a meeting that reflected poorly on you, it would also negatively affect him, something of which he is surely aware."

Rhiane stared at Tobias for one long moment before sighing and rising to her feet. "I suppose you have a point," she admitted. There was still the risk Luke was harboring feelings she did not want to reciprocate but if she wanted anyone to listen to her, to view her as more than a pawn, she couldn't hide away and only display herself as the pretty face was relegated to embodying. "Very well, let him know I will be going," she remarked, "but I want you to come with me so that I may depart early if he discovers he'll need to stay late."